Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-31

Suicide OK ACCIDENT
A Brother Of Representative Belmont
Kills Himself at His Home i'm New
York.
NEW YORK, Jan. 31.-word reached police head
quarters at three O'Clock this morning that Ray
mond, son OF August Belmont, the well-known
banker, had shot himself. The police Immediately
mont lived with his father, at No. 10e Firth
avenue and was associated with the Bemant
banking mouse, at No. II Pine street. In the
evening Raymond went out to dinner but where it
coutd not be ascertained this morning. He
returned shortly before one O'Clock this morning.
WIN MN was Leonard Behr, night watchman.
wlth whom young Raymond was well acquainted,
and who frequently accompanied him home.
Together they went down to the basement where
there was shooting gallery I'm which young BEL
mont, who was a very expert shot. frequently
practiced. Here he also had a stock G revolvers
ana guns. As they entered the room young Bel
mont picked up double-acting smith a. WeSson
pearl,handled revolver OF 32 caIibre, and turning
Now, l want you to go and hold up gold
coar-button In your hand and viii shoot it out. -
Behr, who had frequently seen the young man
shooI and had great confidence In him, at once
agreed TO do this. Before taking up his position,
however, young Belmont turned to him and said
ION, hrst close all the doors so that the report
may not alarm father who is up stairs"
Tnereupon Behr walked over to a door and had
Just put his hand upon it when he heard the re-
Turning at once, he saw young Belmont falling
H 10 .ae 1oor, blood gushing from wound in the
TlSnt Sue OF MS mead.
''My God, Raymond" he cried. "what have you
dOne?r
He leaned over the young man, who opened his
eyes, and looking at him tried 10 speak but could
not As Behr looked at him he closed his eyes and
became unconscious
Behr then left him and, running up stairs,
aroused August Belmont the young mans father,
who was all alone in the house.
Ine Watchman was sent for Dr. Polk, the family
physician, and in a few moments he was at the
young mans bedside with two other physicians
whose names could not be aScertained. They tried
to resuscitate young Belmont, but failed. He died
soon after the bullet entered his brain.
Coroner Ordman and his deputy were notified
and arrived before the doctors left. They found
that the bullet had passed clear through the skull
entering the right side OF the head and coming
out at the left. The watchman said the shooting
was accidental, but the coroner said all the indi
cations pointed to suicide. 1t was evident that
young Belmont had taken considerable wine with
his dinner.
Mrs. Belmont is in Washington with Congress
man Perry Belmont. She was notified by telegraph
this morning.
NOT A CASE OF SUICIDE.
Coroner Erdman says he has no doubt that the
shooting OF Raymond Belmont was due to the ac-
cidental discharge OF the revolver He was called
to the early this morning, but as it r1ghtully
belonged TO his associate coroner, Nugent, ht
transferred the case to him. He, however made
some inquiries and acquainted himself with facts
SUFFICIENT taken in connection with the other cir
cumstances, to feel assured that the case was moi
one OF suicide.